Looking to shake up Cupid’s holiday this year? Try one of these unexpected experiences.
by Addie Ladner and Lily Kane
A fancy dinner, box of chocolates or bouquet of flowers are all great come Feb.14 — but if you’ve “been there, done that,” there are plenty of other ways to celebrate love this month. How about seeing an uncensored version of a classic ballet? Solving a murder mystery? Making art together? We’ve gathered 10 unexpected ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year to get you inspired.
Carolina Ballet’s Production of Carmen Suite
In the late 1960s, choreographer Alberto Julio Rayneri Alonso was commissioned by Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya to create a ballet inspired by the title character in Georges Bizet’s famous opera Carmen. The sensuous Carmen Suite, set to music by Plisetskaya’s composer husband, Rodion Shchedrin, was censored at the time for its erotic dancing and immodest costumes. This month, Carolina Ballet will debut its interpretation of this storied work paired with Book of Esther, a ballet inspired by the exhibition of the same name at the North Carolina Museum of Art. “In this bold world premiere, resident choreographer Amy Hall Garner reimagines Carmen Suite with powerful theatricality and a fresh choreographic voice set to Bizet’s iconic score, alongside Zalman Raffael’s Book of Esther — expect a compelling program that explores courage, agency and identity,” says Joshua Dwight with Carolina Ballet. The performance will run for more than two weeks in February; for Valentine’s Day catch shows at 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 – 22 | Various times; From $55; 2 E. South Street; carolinaballet.com
Artspace’s Blockprinting Workshop for Couples
For a crafty and creative evening with your significant other, head downtown for a couples blockprinting workshop at Artspace. Led by local artist Janice Withers, the hands-on class introduces participants to the fundamentals of relief printmaking, including carving and printing with linoleum blocks. Couples will have the chance to design and create their own prints, making this an ideal date for those who prefer a shared experience — and a keepsake — over a traditional night out. To help set the mood, Prosecco and light snacks are included as part of the ticket price. Want to skip the romance and celebrate friendship instead? Artspace is also offering a besties’ edition of the class on Feb. 13. Tickets for both events are sold in pairs.
Feb. 13 & 14; $81.88 for two; 201 E. Davie Street; artspacenc.org
SMASH’s Galentine’s Night
Smash, downtown Raleigh’s buzzy new bar, restaurant and neighborhood game destination, is hosting a fun Galentine’s-themed evening. Sip on a free glass of bubbles when you order a Burrata pizza. Take part in “get to know you” bingo and dance like no one’s watching while a local DJ spins tunes. Look forward to a special food and drink menu too.
Feb. 13 | 7 – 11 p.m.; 500 Glenwood Avenue., Suite #300; smashraleigh.com
Alamo’s Wuthering Heights Event
Prefer a brooding, literary Valentine? Look no further than the Alamo Drafthouse’s special book club screening of Emerald Fennell’s new film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Designed for lovers of the original book by Emily Brontë, this event features a live host, a screening of the movie, and a post-film discussion, as well as a themed cocktail menu. Equal parts film screening and salon, this is a celebration well-suited for book lovers.
Feb. 21 | 12:00 p.m.; 2116-D New Bern Avenue; $11.99; drafthouse.com
Boatman Spirits Co. x Videri Chocolate and Cocktail Menu
For Valentine’s Day and through the end of February, Seaboard’s Boatman Spirits Co.and Videri are teaming up for a special chocolate and cocktail pairing menu including duos like Coquito with coconut ganache; Woodford Reserve Double Oaked S’mores Old Fashioned with s’mores; chocolate dessert martini for two with coffee crunch chocolate bar to share; and the Simon Senior with strawberry gelee The cocktail and chocolate pairings will be available through the end of February, with select pairings continuing into spring. Exact pairings may change as the season evolves. For Valentine’s Day, Boatman will also be serving these dinner and dessert specials: Sharable Lamb Shank (braised lamb shank, creamy eggplant puree, sautéed rainbow chard and herbs) and San Sebastian cheesecake (Basque-style cheesecake, Videri chocolate sauce and pomegranate dust)
713 Seaboard Station Drive; boatmanspirits.com.
The Great Cover Up: Valentine’s Day Edition at Kings
A longtime tradition in the music scene is branching out and adding a love spin. For over a decade, downtown music venue Kings has hosted The Great Cover Up, a show featuring local musicians who dress up and perform songs by ultra-famous artists. This year they’re hosting a special Valentine’s Day edition, with local artists putting their own spin on love songs and romantic classics, with proceeds benefitting to local charities.
Feb. 14 | 7 p.m.; from $10 suggested donation; 14 W. Martin Street; kingsraleigh.com
Solve a Crime at Red Bird
Enjoy binging all the thrillers on Prime and Netflix? Put your skills to use at this fun experiential dinner at downtown event venue Red Bird. Charlotte Murder Mystery Company will put on an engaging live action experience with actors, and clues. Art and even a detective for you and your date to crack the code over a decadent Italian four-course dinner.
From 7-9 p.m. Feb. 14.; $80; 612 S. Salisbury Street; redbirdraleigh.com
NCMA’s Four-Course Valentine’s Day Dinner
Catering Works, the company responsible for the North Carolina Museum of Art’s varied cuisine options, has partnered with Chamber Music Raleigh to put together a romance-themed four- course dinner for Valentine’s Day. For each course, guests will get to choose between multiple dishes with inventive names. Among them: the Perfect Liaison (shaved Iberico ham, fruit and house-made ricotta on crostini), the Blush (grilled sourdough topped with a gruyere-and-champagne fondue and sour cherries) and the Forbidden Flight (roasted duck breast with a honey-rhubarb glaze over forbidden rice). The evening will feature live music from the Cleveland Celtic Ensemble.
Feb. 14 | 6:30 – 9 p.m.; $200; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; ncartmuseum.org
The NC Master Chorale’s “Love Songs of Lennon & McCartney” show at The Rialto
The North Carolina Master Chorale has a love-ly show planned at The Rialto Theater in honor of Valentine’s Day. Hear romantic tunes from the canon of legends John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the songwriters for The Beatles, like McCartney’s “Yesterday” and Lennon’s “All You Need Is Love.”
Feb.15 | 3 p.m.; from $18; 1620 Glenwood Avenue; ncmasterchorale.org
Cupid’s Undie Run in Durham
Get your heart pumping by joining Cupid’s Undie Run, a one-mile fun run bookended by dance parties and drinking. As the name suggests, runners are encouraged to take part wearing only their underwear — though fun costumes are always welcome. The race is a partnership with the Children’s Tumor Foundation and raises money for research into neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes tumor growth on nerves in the body. This lighthearted event, which kicks off at Motorco this year, blends irreverent fun with a serious cause, turning a Valentine’s weekend outing into a chance to support life-changing medical research.
Feb. 21 | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m; $45; 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham; join.ctf.org
This article was originally published on January 27, 2026 on waltermagazine.com
